Jan. 31, 2019 | Every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a call of a fire somewhere in this country. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 80 percent of fire deaths in the U.S. occur in the home, with an average of seven people dying in home fires every day. Experts estimate that homeowners will likely have no more than two minutes to escape a fire once a smoke alarm sounds. This can be attributed to the fact that many modern homes are built from unprotected lightweight wood and have more open spaces. It’s a good idea to have a fire escape plan and to practice it at least twice a year. Be sure to find two ways to get out of each room in case the primary path is blocked by fire or smoke. Inspect all of your windows to make sure they are not stuck and that screens can be taken out quickly. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed and teach your children not to hide from firefighters.

Jan. 31, 2019 | If you have a fireplace or wood stove in your home, it’s a good idea to make sure they are installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection. Be sure to have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time. Never use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire in your home. If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. Be sure to keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from jumping out and to prevent the possibility of burns to occupants. And never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.

Jan. 31, 2019 | By now you’ve probably already started using your furnace, but when was the last time you had it inspected to make sure it was in good working condition? When it comes to furnace repairs, always rely on qualified specialists. Do not attempt to make any repairs yourself unless you are a trained specialist. Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required. Be sure to check the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak. Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry. Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system. The furnace’s air filter should be changed regularly. A dirty air filter will restrict airflow to the furnace and can cause a number of efficiency and safety issues.

Jan. 31, 2019 | The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify any potential fire hazards. 65 percent of fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. When installing smoke alarms, make sure you have one on every level of your home, inside all bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas. Teach your children what the smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one. Once a month, check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button. Be sure to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, a warning that the battery is low. Smoke alarms should never be disabled and should be replaced every 10 years. And remember, carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms, so make sure that you and any children in your home know the difference between the sounds of these alarms.

Jan. 31, 2019 | Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by wood- or gas-fueled appliances that don’t burn properly, as well as by charcoal grills, automobiles, and fireplaces. The symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning include fatigue, a long-lasting headache, nausea and dizziness. Sometimes people may think they have the flu. You should also be suspicious if other people in the house are experiencing these same symptoms at the same time. It’s a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors in the home near bedrooms and sleeping areas. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, testing, and replacement of these detectors. If someone is feeling ill and the alarm in the detector goes off, get out of the house immediately and call 911. Do not go back into the home until the fire department gives you the OK. And never keep a car on and running in the garage, even if the garage door is open.